Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc.
(lists of "C" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
Three words that every student of language should understand are homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.
Homonyms are words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Synonyms are words that are related in meaning but do not sound alike (begin and commence, for example).
Antonyms are direct opposites in meaning, as hot and cold; white and black.
With homonyms, the following set of to, too, and two are all pronounced exactly alike, but by no means are they interchangeable in writing. To be sure that you choose the correct spelling for any on these, you must know the meanings of all three so you will not make wrong choices with a feeling of vagueness and uncertainty.
Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of these and other words that may be confusing so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communication.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, [email protected], as the address in your e-mail heading.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
The headlines of the newspaper stated that the local correspondent for International News Coverage was named as the corespondent in the divorce case of the publisher.
2. A cone or trumpet shaped object; such as, that which is used in cream pastries or some plumbing equipment: They stopped at the bakery and each one bought a cream cornet.
The baker who knew how to bake cornets also knew how to play the cornet which he did when the coronet was placed on the head of the prince who was visiting and who went to the bakery and enjoyed several cream filled cornets.
2. A white linen cloth on which the consecrated elements are placed during the celebration of the Eucharist: The women of the church committee embroidered the corporal for the priests to use at mass.
Corpulence is the survival of the fattest.
The corpulent corporeal did volunteer work at the local mission helping to provide corporeal assistance to the poor.
Edith and Herbert were correspondents who were having difficulty keeping up with the correspondence in the office so they decided to hire an assistant.
2. A duty or tax on imported and some exported goods: Kurt was informed at the border that he could not bring the package into the country until he paid the officer the required custom.
It is the custom at New Years to wear an elaborate costume to parties.
The counsel suggested to the consul what to say to the city council.
The councilor was elected to city hall; however, she felt unsure about all of the issues so she hired a counselor to assist her.
The assigned counter, of how many customers came into the store last month, laid out his report on the counter when he was discussing the counter offensive with his supervisor.
2. A person who grooms a horse with a currycomb: The currier uses a square comb with rows of small teeth to curry or to groom his mare giving her a neat appearance.
In Medieval mythology the currier was secretly the courier for the king and he was working in the villages to learn how the people felt about the king.
When the currier had some information to send to the king, he would hire a courier to courier the message safely.
Byron's mother taught him to always be polite to her friends; and as a result, they often told her how courteous and charming he was.
As a courtesy to the visiting nobility, Elena learned how to curtsy correctly.
Mona was very overt in her wish to covet her grandmother's necklace; however, after receiving a covert threat from another relative, she changed her mind.
2. The mature female of other large animals, or mammals; such as, whales, elephants, or moose: The female whale is another animal known as a cow.
The sharks swam around the whale cow and her calf which certainly cowed the young whale.
As Tom cringed in his house during the thunder storm, there is no doubt that he was a cowered coward.
2. A paralysis of local muscles caused by continued over exertion: Otis developed writer's cramp in his hands because he would not stop for a rest.
3. An iron bar bent at both ends, used to bind two stones, various timbers, etc., together: Orlando was able to hold the two large stones together with a cramp.
4. An adjustable frame in which pieces may be held or forced together, as when making a joint; a clamp: The carpenter used a cramp, or two, to make the window frames.
2. To prevent someone from behaving or expressing his or her emotions and thoughts freely: Marta felt as if the school's strict rule of not talking unless called upon by the teacher would cramp her desire to express herself.
2. Small and having parts too close together: It's impossible to read Gwen's cramped handwriting.
Sonja's cramped handwriting described the cramp she experienced when she was traveling on the subway which was so cramped that she had to cramp herself into a corner.
